State University of New York—University at Buffalo School of Management

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Students Say - Academics
Offering AASCB-accredited graduate programs since the 1930s, the University at Buffalo's School of Management has a long history of excellence, operating both a fulltime and part-time MBA, as well as a 22-month executive MBA for seasoned professionals. The academic programs are "very well-organized" and "the school does a great job of emphasizing ‘management' as an underlying factor in each course" in the core curriculum. While covering business fundamentals like finance and marketing, the curriculum moves ahead with the times, and "Courses are constantly updated and altered to reflect real-world experience based on current events." Unfortunately, not every course is up to speed. In the required ethics course, a student recollects, "We talked about ethics as if it was some abstract moral issue, while ignoring tough practical questions that a manager might face today." Getting a strong practical perspective isn't a problem, though: UB compliments the academic offerings with "great opportunities outside the classroom," including "professional speakers, networking events, country forums, [and] community service," as well as case competitions and special offerings, like "marketing projects with GM or Smart Car USA." To further augment the curriculum, UB operates several formal exchange programs with business schools overseas, as well as shorter "trips to China for international business classes." Despite the affordable tuition and high enrollment, UB offers a "smaller, more intimate MBAexperience" with an "emphasis on teamwork and leadership skills" throughout the curriculum. Within each incoming class, full-time students are divided into fixed cohorts then assigned to a fixed study group of five to six students. "Group meetings outside of class require a lot of time and commitment" and can be among the most challenging aspects of the program. Astudent elaborates, "The curriculum is difficult and pushes students to their limits in all realms, especially in regards to working in a team environment with people you may not know to start out or who have very different perspectives than you." Despite the challenges, the focus on teamwork "simulates the real world" and "provides for a great learning environment." A student admits, "I have created a great network here, both with the students, professors, alums and other community members." Adds another, "The students are all very close and the faculty and administration are extremely involved." While the environment is friendly, the teaching staff can be "hit and miss" in the classroom, and some professors are universally disliked. Fortunately, "professors are very good overall" and "many are leaders in [their] fields." Even more importantly, "The professors have been great and are always accessible if needed, whether…after class, during weekly office hours, or by setting up a special time to meet."

Students Say - Admissions
Average GMAT and TOEFL scores were 619 and 256 respectively; the average student holds 2 years of work experience. International students (except in the case of a limited list of 16 Indian universities) must supplement 3-year degrees with an additional year of scholarship. The Admissions Office warns that criteria are more selective for classes at just 100 students.

Students Say - Campus Life
Group work is an integral part of the UB curriculum and for many, "the variety of students from varying backgrounds/majors" and "The great presence of international students from all around the world make this academic experience tremendous both in and out of class." While teamwork can be challenging, "Everybody gets along well and builds great relationships." Throughout the MBA, "classes are all in one building," a recently completed facility, complete with high-tech classrooms, conference rooms, breakout rooms, and a cafe. With everything concentrated into one space, "it has become like a family atmosphere." Unfortunately for MBA candidates, the building is "often monopolized by the very large undergraduate student population in the school of management." Outside of course work, many full-time students are involved in extracurricular activities, like case competitions, student clubs, and special programs like "alternative spring break events." The most active campus club, the Graduate Management Association hosts happy hours and daytrips, among other activities. On campus, "Frequent studentfocused events are held, including a formal dinner with students and faculty [at] the end of each semester, in addition to charity drives and social events." A great place to call home, "Buffalo is a small city, but many of the students are from the area and know where the hangouts are."

Students Say - Careers
At UB, career planning beginsâ€"quite literallyâ€"the moment you step on campus. As a requirement of graduation, all students must complete the MBA Advantage, a comprehensive professional development program in August before your first year (with additional sessions in January and September.) In addition to the MBA Advantage, the Frank L. Ciminelli Family Career Resource Center (CRC) helps students prepare for the job hunt through career development workshops, mock interviews, career advising and more. The CRC also hosts various networking and recruiting events to link current students with local employers and alumni. UB is "very well-known in Western New York," and students benefit from the school's "great reputation and strong regional recruiting" program. For those who plan to stay in the area, UB has a "strong alumni network, especially locally." In recent years, MBA graduates report an average base salary of more than $58,000, with a range between $41,000 and $90,000. Sixty percent of students were employed within three months of graduation. More than half the class took positions in Western New York, with another 17 percent landing jobs in downstate New York. Over the past few years, the top employers of MBA graduates include M&T Bank, Citigroup, BAE Systems, Deloitte & Touche, Independent Health, Toys R Us, Amgen, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Corning, Freed Maxick & Battaglia, Capital One, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG, among others.

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